When I was in college, back in the Stone Age, the coolest guys on campus always seemed to gravitate to girls who belonged to sororities.

That still may be the case.

But let’s make it real: On a Saturday afternoon in mid-September, the women of Epsilon Nu Omega, an alumnae chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, had a luncheon at the Marriott City Center to celebrate the accomplishments of 13 exceptional Colorado men. Twelve were honored as M.O.D.E.L. (Men of Distinction, Excellence and Leadership) citizens; a 13th, former gang member Terrance Roberts, was recognized for starting The Prodigal Son Initiative, a nonprofit organization that builds community by offering programs and opportunities for young people living in one of Denver’s most underserved neighborhoods.

Seven hundred people were at the event chaired by Barbara Johnson and Erin Brown and emceed by TaRhonda Thomas of 9News to pay tribute to Wiley Daniel, Colorado’s first African- American federal judge; Gary Wilson, the first African-American to serve as director of corrections and undersheriff for the Denver Sheriff’s Department; and wildlife biologist Scott Gilmore.

They also applauded fellow M.O.D.E.L.s Ryan Ross, dean of students and retention at the Community College of Denver and one of the Denver Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40; Elvin Caldwell Jr., owner and president of Caldwell-Kirk Mortuary and member of the Junior Achievement and YMCA boards of directors; Gregory L. Moore, editor of The Denver Post; William “Bo” Matthews, a former player in the National Football League and founder/CEO of the Bo Matthews Center for Excllence; the Rev. Frank Davis, pastor of Zion Baptist Church and a founder of 62 churches in Africa; Dr. Johnny Johnson, an obstetrician/gynecologist who has delivered more than 15,000 babies; K.C. Matthews, traffic standards and specifications manager for the Colorado Department of Transportation and a member of the Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame; David Reed, an auto broker and co-founder of East Ridge Elementary School’s Brotherhood program; and Richard Lewis, the founder, president and CEO of RTL Networks and a 9News Business Leader of the Year.

In addition to being feted at the luncheon, the 12 M.O.D.E.L.s also are pictured in a 2012 calendar, wearing clothes from the Larimer Square men’s boutique Moda, that can be purchased by visiting the chapter website. Moda also furnished the suits that the honorees wore to the luncheon.

Proceeds from both the luncheon and the calendar sales go toward college scholarships that Epsilon Nu Omega awards to outstanding African-American girls.

Epsilon Nu Omega chapter was chartered on Oct. 22, 1949, and is the first graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority to be established in Colorado. It has 120 members, 20 of whom have belonged to AKA for over 50 years. One of them, 98-year-old Marie Greenwood, is a 75-year member and was one of those attending the luncheon.

Gray grew up in poverty on the south side of Chicago and made his first $1 million when he was just 14. Today he is known throughout the world as a philanthropist, best-selling author, syndicated columnist, motivational speaker and CEO of Farrah Gray Publishing.

The celebrating didn’t end once the dedication of the $43 million Evie Garrett Dennis Campus in Green Valley Ranch was complete. Dennis, the retired superintendent of the Denver Public Schools, was whisked off to the Crowne Plaza Hotel Denver International Airport for a reception put on by her daughter, Pia Dennis Smith; her cousin, Faye Wattleton; and members of Epsilon Nu Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Dennis, a 2008 inductee to the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame, came to Denver following her graduation from St. Louis University. She initially worked as a researcher in the field of children’s asthma; she started teaching in 1966, and was eventually charged with implementing and monitoring the U.S. District Court order to desegregate the Denver Public Schools. Dennis was appointed deputy superintendent of the DPS in 1998 and superintendent two years later. She retired in 1994.

In addition to education, Dennis also has made a name for herself in the world of sports. Starting as a supporter of her daughter’s high school track team, she went on to have leadership roles with the Rocky Mountain Amateur Athletic Union, USA Track and Field, the U.S. Olympics Committee and the U.S. Sports Academy. She is a 2004 inductee to the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame and twice served as chef de mission to the Pan Am Games as well as to the 1988 Olympics.

Guests at the reception included representatives for U.S. Sen. Mark Udall and U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (Paul Sample and Deborah Parsons, respectively); Larry Borom, chairman of the DPS Black Education Advisory Council; and Terry Nelson from the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library. Dennis’ cousin, Faye Wattleton, was president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America from 1978-92. She is also the co-founder and past president of the Center for the Advancement of Women.

Fifteen recent high school graduates ready to take on the world were presented at the 43rd annual Deutante Ball put on by Beta Rho Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.
The Beginning of Greatness was the theme for the dinner affair held at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. Jennifer Carter and Shawnetta “Kai” Madden were the chairwomen; Elma Hairston was mistress of ceremonies.
The debutantes were presented by Alice Pegues-Miller and the congratulatory message was delivered by Carol Reagan-Heru.Read more…